The beauty of small town living...

My photo
Bomont, West Virginia, United States
When you have no idea what you're doing, somebody else will ... or at least make something up & run with it.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It was late in December, the sky turned to snow
All round the day was going down slow
Night like a river beginning to flow
I felt the beat of my mind go
Drifting into time passages
Years go falling in the fading light
Time passages ....
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Monday, December 11, 2006

A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE ...

We stress about buying the perfect gift for Christmas. Many people would just like a warm coat.

We stress about what to have for Christmas dinner & how we're ever going to make it every place we need to be. Many people would just like a hot meal once in awhile.

We stress about not having enough money to buy the things we want to buy. Many people would just like to keep the heat on.

Personally, I'd like to have my mom here to stress with. Today on the radio, they were talking about how many kids have lost parents in Iraq & various places they can't even find on a map.

It's time to be grateful for what we have, share what we can & if we're going to stress, it should be about something worthwhile. Like how far behind we've truly left Christmas.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Merry Christmas!

82% of Americans suffer severe depression between Thanksgiving & Easter.

53% of Americans will give gift cards instead of presents.

74% of American women won't like what their husbands give them.

48% of Americans have their shopping done by Thanksgiving.

86% of American men will wait until 2 days before Christmas to shop.

100% of these statistics are bogus. I made them up as I went along. teeheehee

Friday, December 01, 2006

HAPPY DECEMBER!

If we make it through December
Everythings gonna be all right, I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the fallin snow

If we make it through December
I got plans of bein in a warmer town come summer time
Maybe even California
If we make it through December we'll be fine.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ...

You don't owe me a thing,
I've been there too.
Someone once helped me out,
Just the way I'm helping you.
If you really want to pay me back,
Here's what you do.
Don't let the chain of love
... end with you.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Keep On Yakkin' On ...

Life In Clay County blog is 1 year old on Saturday!
& what a year it's been ...

Saturday, November 11, 2006

THANK A VETERAN TODAY

Every day is a good day to thank a veteran ....

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

VOTE FOR ME! VOTE FOR ME!

Will you vote? Have you already? Personally, I'm just looking forward to regular commercials again ...

Monday, October 30, 2006

BOO!

Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, the Celts observed a festival on October 31st. The Celts and their priests, the Druids, celebrated Samhain, a festival that marked the eve of the Celtic New Year, which began on November 1.

The Celts believed that during Samhain, the veil separating the living from the dead was at its thinnest. They believed that on the evening of October 31, evil spirits and the souls of the dead passed through the barrier and entered the world of the living. Departed family members would revisit their earthly homes.

Samhain became the Halloween we are familiar with when Christian missionaries attempted to change the religious practices of the Celtic people. In an effort to wipe out paganism, the Church decided that Instead of honoring evil spirits and the souls of the dead, they should recognize the saints or hallowed ones who had lived godly lives.

In 835, Pope Gregory IV moved the celebration for all the martyrs (later all saints) from May 13 to November 1. The night before became known as All Hallow’s Even or “holy evening.” Eventually the name was shortened to the current Halloween.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

The Fat Lady Sings ...

Do you suppose the original "fat lady" was offended when people called her fat & told her to sing? Who/what made that line famous?

Thursday, October 19, 2006

If I was a butterfly,



I'd fly away with my beatiful self.

If I was jock itch, I'd stick around awhile.

Ever been in one of those moods?

Friday, October 13, 2006

Musings ...

If death is "sleep," does that make ghosts insomniacs?

If Heaven has no pain and no sorrow, what do you feel if you get there and don't see anybody you know?

If scientists are smart enough to prove evolution and the Big Bang, why can't they find a cure for the common cold?

Where do angels come from?

If nobody gets to Heaven before Judgement Day, what's that "better place" people go to while they're waiting?

Was Adam a caveman?

Saturday, October 07, 2006

The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to. - Carl Sandburg

Songs and poems are written about it; it's worshipped by Pagans and Wiccans worldwide; it's mentioned over 60 times in the Bible; it makes horror movies more horror-able. Tonight is it's "special night."

The Harvest Moon usually comes out in September. Only one out of every 3 years does it come in October, the "witching month." This is one of those years. It will appear bigger and brighter than any other time of the year

Lock your doors and windows, stay inside & turn the scanner up so you can hear it over the TV ...

Thursday, September 28, 2006

'scuse me?

Robert C. Byrd is running a commercial on TV, touting the fact that he's going to make silent prayer in school legal. 'scuse me? Isn't that already legal? I haven't heard of any parent suing the school system, so it must be.

A lone gunman in Colorado was able to get himself into a high school, hold several students hostage & managed to kill both himself and a female student. 'scuse me? How do people continue to manage to get guns into schools?

Bill Clinton totally lost his cultured cool during an interview with Chris Wallace. {teeheehee} (His hair looked good, though.) Hillary once again finds herself publicly defending her husband, who sincerely tried to catch & kill Osama. 'scuse me?

Patricia K. Nicholson of Mount Airy, MD, was found living in a house with 184 dead cats and 119 live ones. She faces a maximum penalty of 11 years and four months behind bars plus a $46,000 fine. Venus Critchfield of Grafton, WV, pleaded guilty to two counts of felonly child neglect with injury for forcing her 2 stepchildren to gorge themselves on food, then wallow in it and eat their own vomit. Critchfield faces up to six years in prison. 'scuse me??

Friday, September 22, 2006

HAPPY FALL!

In the wee hours between tonight & tomorrow morning, Summer ends and Fall begins. Days get shorter, moons get brighter, men disappear. Yards fill up with pumpkins and hay bales, sweater season comes back & everybody's favorite - the ladybugs take over.
Best of all, though, it's the return of hearty eating. Soup ... stew ... chili ...

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Hypothetically Speaking ...

Say there's this bully. And say this bully's last name is a popular one in the town where you live. You know the type - one of those names that never seems to get in trouble or get caught doing anything wrong. He's everything his parents were when they were the same age & still continue to be, just on a different level.
Now, say this bully - in the way of bullies everywhere - chooses much smaller kids(just "regular" kids, not ones in his exclusive little clique) as his targets. Say, too, that this bully has friends who are just like him, who always seem to be close by to collaborate his story and/or make sure that when it's 5 against 1, the 1 can't possibly win.
How do you deal with the bully?

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

An Apple A Day ...

Anderson Mullins was an apple-loving farmer who lived on his family's farm in Odessa - right next door to Bomont, on the fringes of Porters Creek.

In the fall of 1905, Anderson noticed a crop of yellow apples on a tree that he hadn't been planted, which must have grown from seed. He sent samples to Stark Brothers Nursery in April 1914, calling the fruit "Mullins Yellow Seedling."

Paul Stark traveled by train and horse & buggy from Louisiana, Missouri to the Mullins farm. He was so impressed by the apple - which he renamed the GOLDEN DELICIOUS - that he bought the tree & the surrounding 900 acres of land for $5,000. He then paid $100/year to the Mullins family for the next 30 years or so to make sure it was properly maintained & nurtured.

The tree survived until 1958. The sign that marks the spot still stands.

Monday, September 11, 2006

SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 - 5 years later

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Little Ditties

There are 55 counties in West Virginia. Here's where Clay ranks in select areas:

CAUSE OF DEATH (1992 - 2001):
Lung cancer: Rank - 4
Motor vehicle: Rank - 1
Homicide & legal intervention: Rank - 8
Our #1 cause of death in Clay County is heart disease

BEHAVORIAL PREVALENCES (1999)
Physical Inactivity: Rank - 2
Smokeless Tobacco Use: Rank - 2
No Health Insurance (age 18-64): Rank - 1

CENSUS INFO:
White - 98.5%
Black - 0.1%
American Indian/Alaska Native - 0.7%
Persons reporting two or more races - 0.7%
Hispanic or Latino origin - 0.4%
Average age at death - 74.7
Average number of births, mother age 15-19 - 54.8

Friday, September 01, 2006

HELLO, DARLIN'!

"Please, make welcome ... the best friend a song ever had ...
CONWAY TWITTY !!" (September 1, 1933 - June 5, 1993)

Other September 1st trivia to amaze your friends with ...
1975 Gunsmoke goes off the air
1979 LA Court orders Clayton Moore to stop wearing Lone Ranger mask
1970 - The last episode of "I Dream of Jeannie" aired on NBC-TV. The show premiered on September 18, 1965.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

SKOOL DAZ IZ BAK

Those who know me know how I feel about the No Child Left Behind Act. In a nutshell, I think it's ridiculous. It's a classic example of a good idea gone horribly wrong. HOWEVER, it is FEDERALLY MANDATED LEGISLATION that must be followed by all public schools.

Per a letter dated July 28, 2006, parents of Clay County Middle School students were informed of CCMS's failure to meet these federally mandated guidelines for 2 years in a row. As such, the school is now required to offer "school choice." Since Clay County only has 1 school serving grades 6-8, school choice "is not feasible." Which means our children have no other option than to continue attending a school that's been federally flagged as a failure.

FURTHERMORE, per an additional letter dated July 28, 2006, Clay County is now offering free tutoring for select middle school children who meet certain income guidelines. Not ALL children, but only those who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch. This tutoring is being offered because the school has actually failed to meet the federal guidelines for 3 years in a row.

Does it bother anybody besides me that some children - like my own, who do NOT qualify for free or reduced price lunches - are forced to attend a FAILING SCHOOL, yet don't qualify for the additional assistance that MIGHT help them further in life? Or do we already know that the high school is failing, too, so really, the only solution is to move out of Clay County?

Whose fault is it that the schools are failing? Who's being discriminated against?

Monday, July 31, 2006

CAROLENE MARIE SAMPLES

Somewhere in Heaven, our mother sings ...
For on this day, she earns her wings

Bomont, WV- Carolene Marie Samples, 68, of Bomont, WV entered into rest Sunday, July 30, 2006. Meeting her at the Gates of Glory were her parents, Dorothy and Lee Shaffer and her brothers, Edward and Lawrence Shaffer.

Carolene recently returned to West Virginia to be with her family after spending several years in California and most recently, New Bern, NC where she was active with the Ladies Auxiliary of the local VFW post. She leaves a void in the hearts of many dear friends there.

Carolene leaves behind her children, Donald McNeiland of Grand Cayman Islands, Alan McNeiland of South Carolina, Rose Cantrell of Bomont, WV, Ty Samples of Rainelle, WV, and Arthur “Sparky” Samples of North Carolina. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Joshua, Adam, Savannah, Melody, Montana, Bradley, Tori, Cierra, Shana, Kevin, Michael and James as well as her sister, Kay of Texas and her brother Bill of Elkview.

Service will be 4pm Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at Pine Grove Church, Fraziers Bottom, WV with burial following in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2pm until service time at the church. Online condolences may also be made at
www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 301 RHL Boulevard, Charleston, WV 25309.

Carolene touched the hearts of all she met and enriched the lives of many. The world is a dimmer place without her smile in it, but Heaven just got a little brighter.

Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, WV is in charge of arrangements.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Vacation's All I Ever Wanted ....

& a great one it was!

Looks like not much changed around here, though ... teeheehee

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Family reunions? Fireworks? Cookouts?

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Continued ....

I was going to post on the Sunday hunting thing, but this one caught my attention. I'm easily distracted sometimes.

WV Senate Bill 114 - allows counties, with the approval of the city council in a given municipality, to adopt and apply a mandatory fee of up to five dollars on those convicted of felonies, misdemeanors or municipal ordinances to fund teen courts. Moreover, any mandatory fee established by a county commission or city council will be paid for by the defendant if he/she is found guilty of a felony or a misdemeanor committed in that county.

How much is Clay County making??

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer

Bikinis aren't for everyone.
HAPPY SUMMER!!

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Tips for Travellers

Let's say, hypthothetically, you were about to embark on a ROAD TRIP!! Let's pretend, just for kicks, you were going from one side of the US to the other. Where would you stop? Where would you avoid? What do you think it'd cost (no cheating if you've done this before ... teeheehee)?

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Another Day in the Life

The day started out normal enough, not much different from every other day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the flowers were in full bloom.
But just beneath the surface, something was ... off.
Later, people would talk about a "feeling" ...
A feeling of ... being watched. A feeling
of something lurking, just out of sight.
Something older than time itself
something ... ancient ...
something ... dark ...
something ... evil.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Don't Take Life So Seriously ... It's Only Temporary

Today, I said goodbye to an old friend - one of my husband's best buds from Way Back, when we were all just kids, before Life took over & Reality kicked our butts. Along the way, while we were all trying to find our places in this world, we lost touch. It's sad that it takes a funeral to bring us all back together.

When I got up this morning, my feet were firmly planted in 2006. When I go to bed tonight, I'll still be lost somewhere in 1980 something. The Game Room at Procious ... big hair ... KC & the Sunshine Band ... fresh young love ... we were all slim & invincible & had all our hair.

I can't honestly say that I know what kind of person he became or even what kind of person he was last week. It really doesn't matter. In my mind, he'll forever be young & happy & have the world at his feet. He came from Good People, he was Good People & he'll leave a void in the hearts of many.

My sincere, heart-felt condolences to the entire Shamblin family. Darrell was only 45.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Beyond the Barbeque

Soldier, rest, thy warfare o'er,
Dream of fighting fields no more.
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Morn of toil, nor night of waking.
Sir Walter Scott

Memorial Day began as a memorial for Civil War veterans. It's long since grown to be a day to pay homage to all who have passed on to the next level. As you place your flowers and indulge in backyard get-togethers, remember the ones who have fallen for our freedom & pray for the safe return of all those who still fight.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL WHO KEEP IT FREE

Saturday, May 20, 2006

What's In A Word?

We seem to all be in agreement that anybody living in America should be speaking English. Sometimes, though, they just have better words than we do ...

  1. Tingo: A Pascuense language word from Easter Island that means borrowing items from a pal's house, one by one, until there is nothing left.
  2. Kummerspeck: A German word that literally means "grief bacon" but refers to the excess weight gained from emotion-related overeating.
  3. Bakku-shan: Japanese for a woman who "seems pretty when seen from behind but not from the front."
  4. Ulykkesbilen: Danish for an "ill-fated car."
  5. Putzfimmel: German word that means a mania for cleaning.
  6. Nakkele: From Tulu, India, this describes a man who licks whatever the food has been served on.K
  7. atahara itai: Japanese for laughing so hard that one side of your stomach hurts.
  8. Drachenfutter: A German word that is "dragon fodder" when translated literally, but means the peace offerings made by guilty husbands to their wives.
  9. Plimpplampplettere: Dutch for skimming stones.
  10. Backpfeifengesicht: German for a face that cries out for a fist in it.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

No, it's not what I planned on posting, but I heard it on the radio on the way home today & figured if it was gonna be stuck in my head, it just as well be stuck in yours, too .... BAHAHAHA

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

PRAISE THE LORD & PASS THE OATS

The winners have been congratulated; the losers have accepted their fate.
The hecklers carry on because ... really, why not?

IF THERE'S A "VOTE FOR ME!" SIGN ANYWHERE IN THIS COUNTY WITH YOUR NAME ON IT, TAKE IT DOWN. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO PUT IT UP OR WHETHER YOU WON OR LOST. IT'S NOW TRASH ALONG THE ROAD WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.
YOU NEED TO GET IT GONE.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

ELECTION DAY

Did you vote? Who'd you see? What'd you hear? Who's out & about? Who's going to have the longest day? Who thinks it's in the bag?

By this time tomorrow, it's all over but the cryin' ....

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Creative Ways To Relieve Boredom

1) Call a random number & chat with the person who answers as though you're their long lost best friend. Pretend to be deeply hurt when they don't remember you.

2) Forward all your junk email to the White House.

3) Write letters to actors who play doctors on TV, asking them what they recommend for oozing sores that just won't heal.

4) Sit on a public bench & periodically shout, "IT BURNS! IT BURNS!" Then act all innocent when anybody looks your way.

5) End every sentence with your own name.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

TEN DAYS & COUNTING ...

THE ELECTION
Will your decision be based on
... personal knowledge of candidates?
... campaign techniques/promises?
... rumors and gossip you hear from others?
... stuff you read on these blogs?
... the quality & quantity of the freebies they hand out?
... or just plain gut instinct?

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

6 Months Later ...

& we're all still bloggin' .... What'd we do before? teeheehee

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

SURVEY SAYS ....

1) Gettysburg, PA. By far, one of my favorite places on the planet. Gettysburg City Council has voted to allow slot machines within city limits to boost the economy. The national battlefields will still be protected, but for how long?

2) Illegal immigrants. Have you seen the questions you'd have to answer if you wanted to become a US citizen? Could you pass the test?

3) Fried chicken. Extra crispy or original recipe?

4) Hair transplant or paint your bald spot?

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

AREA 51

At 2 minutes & 3 seconds after 1:00 a.m., the date/time will be 01:02:03 04/05/06. It won't happen again for another 100 years, so make sure you tape it!!

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Fact or Utter Nonsense?

* Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible, and lions 55 times, but domestic cats are not mentioned at all.
* About 13% of our population is left-handed. In medieval times, left-handed people could not become knights because it was thought that they were descendants of the devil.
* Alexander Hamilton (the guy on the ten-dollar bill) was killed in a duel by Vice President Aaron Burr.
* Half the world's population earns about 5% of the world's wealth.
* Almost 1,2 billion people are underfed - the same number of people that are overweight to the point of obesity.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Mary Poppins!

I figure if all roads are going to lead to "MP" anyway, why not start there & come up with something more interesting to talk about.
So ... MP could mean ....

Monday, March 20, 2006

Bring It On!

Spring has sprung, the grass has riz,
Do you know where your snow shovel iz?

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Vent Line

No holding, no "Press 1 for English," no specific topic.
No names (the sissies can't take it & I don't want to hear from them, so please be creative)
& keep it relatively clean (gotta love that * button!).

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Éireann go Brách! ("Erin Go Braugh" - Ireland Forever!)

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
- Irish Blessing

Monday, March 13, 2006

Take Two ...

Let's pick up where we left off ... or somewhere close by.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

I Lak Da Way You Tawlk

I wuz posta did sum work now but figgerd ta take a brake ta git sum book lernin from yall. Rekon I dun alredy noe lotta wurds, but ain't agin lernin sum new uns. Yall noe at Jeff Foxworthy fella? He gots gud wurds. Yall noe sum any lak dat?

Happy March!

Just 20 more days till Spring!!
Just a little more than that till taxes are due...
Election time is drawing closer...
Get started on that Christmas shopping - time's flying!

Sunday, February 26, 2006

ATTENTION, HALLMARK!

Ever looked for that perfect card but couldn't find it? Let's do ...
"Cards That Should Be ... But Aren't"

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Play That Funky Music, White Boy

Or is that Dirty White Boy?
Long-haired Country Boy?

Monday, February 20, 2006

Dream A Little Dream ....

Do dreams really mean something or are they just the figments of your imagination taking advantage of your unconsciousness?

Friday, February 17, 2006

MEDICAL ALERT!!

Cranial Dungitis is an acute condition in which the cerebrum becomes unnaturally yet firmly embedded within the anal orifice.

Millions of people suffer this malady, yet few recognize the symptoms. Fewer still seek treatment. Many are unaware that they have this disease and that it is slowly destroying their ability to maintain a normal lifestyle.
If not treated and properly diagnosed, the condition may become chronic. This condition can be contagious, but no known consistency has yet been determined as to the level of exposure that must be maintained to contract the disease. If left untreated, Cranial Dungitis may result in a permanent excremental thought process.

If you know someone who you believe might have Cranial Dungitis, or if you'd like additional information about this serious pandemic, please contact 1-900-SHT4BRNS.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Recipes, Anyone?

Give a man a loaf of bread and he will go to bed thirsty. Give a man a fishing pole and he will ... beat you with it, leave you for dead & make off with the pole, your truck, your dog & your woman. Is that the way it goes??

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Word of the Day ...

Onomatopoeia - the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Dear Diary ...

We've got almost 47" of snow up here on the mountain & it's still coming down. Drifts up to 6 feet. The dogs are all frozen solid in the front yard. We caged them in with the 4 foot icicles from the back porch so the wolves can't get to them. We were afraid the power would go, so we cooked everything in the freezer, including the corn dogs from 1989. It was like eating an old friend. The water's frozen in the toilet. It's gonna be a long night.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

The Lighter Side ...

Just for fun, let's try something new. All you have to do is add a line to the last comment. Remember, try to keep it relatively clean.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

4th Quarter; 14-10

The game's almost over & I'm just now acknowledging today is Superbowl Sunday. Obviously, I'm not a big football fan anymore.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Happy February ... (?) (!)

Two more miners die doing what they do; Governor Manchin shuts them all down ...
President Bush wants to make gas from grass ...
Puppies being used as drug smugglers ...
Six more weeks of winter ...

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Those Darn Kids ...

Do you know a child who's a little rowdy? Hyper, maybe? Can't pay attention? How many children do you know who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD? How many of those children are taking medication for their disorder? Ritalin was the most commonly prescribed medication for children for 20+ years. By the standards of the Federal government's Controlled Substance Act, Ritalin falls into the same drug class as cocaine and crystal meth - Schedule II substances. Over the past 5 years or so, dozens of new drugs have hit the market to "treat" these children. Stimulant vs. nonstimulant; liver damage vs. mind-altering; stressed parents vs. non-stressed teachers. Given the ease with which these drugs can be obtained, is it any wonder there's such a drug problem in our society?

Saturday, January 28, 2006

The Race is On ...

for a new & improved county commissioner. Hats are in the ring & campaigning will soon begin in earnest ...

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Clay Has 20

Registered Sex Offenders.

"Registered" means "convicted" - not alleged, not accused, but found guilty by a jury and convicted. Lists of registered offenders can be found all over the internet, including www.wvstatepolice.com. Do you think this is fair?

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Tiny Bubbles ....

Now that Don Ho is engineering your train of thought, let's see where it takes us. (If you don't know who Don Ho is, Google him & come back, young whippersnapper. While you're at it, look up Sammy, his sidekick. Oh, how I loved that show ....)

Monday, January 23, 2006

Random Thoughts ... Revisited

Dr. Susan Linn, (commercialfreechildhood.org) says "sugary cereals are making kids fat" & blames the advertisers. She alleges it's the under-8 group that's "hit the hardest." She needs to quit letting her 8-year-old do the grocery shopping ...

Saturday, January 21, 2006

"This has got to stop." - Governor Joe Manchin

"We have found the two miners we were looking for," said Doug Conaway, director of the state Office of Miners' Health Training and Safety. "Unfortunately, we don't have a positive outcome."
Don I. Bragg, age 33, leaves a wife and two children. Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, age 47, leaves a wife and four children.

Friday, January 20, 2006

GRRRRRR

1) Nobody is impressed by your gas-guzzling, road-hogging SUV. If you can handle the payment, fine. But if you can't handle the vehicle, TRADE IT IN ON ONE YOU CAN DRIVE.
2) If you don't know what lane you need to be in, read the road signs. If you miss your exit, THERE'S ANOTHER UP THE ROAD.
3) Arm bent at the elbow, hand pointing up = right turn; arm extended straight out = left turn; arm bent at the elbow, hand pointing down = stop/slow down; all other hand gestures = GET OFF MY TAIL!
4) If you can see the look on my face in my rearview mirror, that's my YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEND MY KIDS TO COLLEGE expression.
5) HANG UP AND DRIVE.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Politically Correct Democracy vs. World Domination

No, it's not another political post. I've just been reading some of the other blogs, pondering what I'd do if anybody ever put ME in charge. I've got a list of things a mile long that would change. Drastically & overnight ...

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

SAVE THE BRIDGE!

I just spoke with Commissioner King. According to recent conversations she's had with Senator Randy White, the estimated cost to save the swinging bridge is in the neighborhood of $400,000. How badly do you want this bridge saved? Are you willing to work for it??

The Legislature is in session as we speak. Now's the time to remind them that Clay County helped put some of them there. Fran's offered to participate in a Town Meeting to help in any way she can. What do you think of having a Town Meeting in the near future - say at the courthouse - to discuss the things we've been discussing on the blogs? It'd be a good opportunity to not only discuss the bridge, but also invite our Elected Ones to come out & hear what we have to say. I've offered to help organize this meeting if we can get enough interest. Anyone? Anyone??

This Day In History ...

1861 Flush toilet (with separate water tank and a pull chain) patented by Mr Thomas Crapper
1912 English explorer Robert Falcon Scott & his expedition reach the South Pole, only to discover that Roald Amundsen had gotten there 1 month before
1926 George Burns marries Gracie Allen
1945 Auschwitz concentration camp begins evacuation
1963 Wilt Chamberlain of NBA San Francisco Warriors scores 67 points vs Los Angeles
1969 Beatles release Yellow Submarine album in UK
1972 Section of Memphis' Highway 51 South renamed Elvis Presley Blvd
1984 Supreme Court rules (5-4) private use of home VCRs to tape TV programs for later viewing does not violate federal copyright laws
1998 President Clinton faces sexual harassment charges from Paula Jones

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Life Goes On ...

Over 2,000 people gathered today in Buckhannon to memoralize the miners...

Friday, January 13, 2006

Monday, January 09, 2006

Having A Moment ...

Please, talk amongst yourselves. Here's your topic:
COUNTY COMMISSION
(does anybody remember when SNL was funny?)

Let the Campaign Begin ...

& the mud-slinging & the "promises" & the back-stabbing & the rumors ...

Sunday, January 08, 2006

ELVIS ARON PRESLEY

January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977
Happy 71st birthday, wherever you are ...

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Clay County Commission ...

Ok, folks, it's come to my attention that this site has captured the attention of those "in town." Here's our chance to all be heard. They're tuned in. Put your best attitude on and let your voice be heard.

Rasguño de mi extremo

Éraflure de mon bout ...
Verkratzen meines Kolbens ...
Graffiare la mia estremità ...

Friday, January 06, 2006

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Almost Campaign Time

For a mere 1% of the annual salary, anybody in the proper district can run for County Commission. Anybody need a dollar? Do you know what the responsibilities of the County Commission are? What goals would you set for a new - or returning - Commissioner?

WEST VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION:
9-11. Powers of county commissions.
The county commissions, through their clerks, shall have the custody of all deeds and other papers presented for record in their counties, and the same shall be preserved therein, or otherwise disposed of, as now is, or may be prescribed by law. They shall also, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law, have the superintendence and administration of the internal police and fiscal affairs of their counties, including the establishment and regulation of roads, ways, bridges, public landings, ferries and mills, with authority to lay and disburse the county levies: Provided, That no license for the sale of intoxicating liquors in any incorporated city, town or village, shall be granted without the consent of the municipal authorities thereof, first had and obtained. Until otherwise prescribed by law, they shall, in all cases of contest, be the judge of the election, qualification and returns of their own members, and of all county and district officers, subject to such regulations, by appeal or otherwise, as may be prescribed by law. Such commissions may exercise such other powers, and perform such other duties, not of a judicial nature, as may be prescribed by law. Such existing tribunals as have been heretofore established by the Legislature to act as to police and fiscal matters in lieu of county commissions in certain counties shall remain and continue as now constituted in the counties in which they have been respectively established until otherwise provided by law, and they shall have and exercise the powers which the county commissions have under this article, and, until otherwise provided by law, such clerk as is mentioned in section twelve of this article shall exercise any powers and discharge any duties, heretofore conferred on, or required of, any such tribunal or the clerk of such tribunal respecting the recording and preservation of deeds and other papers presented for record and such other matters as are prescribed by law to be exercised and discharged by the clerk thereof.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

The Next Day ...

Say what you will about our governor, but he's still there; it's 4:30 in the morning & he's talking to the press like an intelligent human being; he's still in the same clothes he was wearing Monday when he arrived from Atlanta; he's not giving platitudes, he's flat out saying he doesn't know. Plus, his hair still looks good.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

"We Believe In Miracles" - WV Governor Joe Manchin

How deep are the depths of hell? No deeper than the emptiness left in the hearts of the families of:
Alby Martin Bennett, 50, of Buckhannon
Jim Bennett, 61, of Philippi
Terry Helms, 48, of Newberg
David Lewis, 28, of Philippi
Randall McCloy, 27, of Simpson
Fred Ware Jr., 59, of Tallmansville
Jack Weaver, 52, of Philippi
Marshall Winans, 49, of Talbert
George ("Junior") Hamner, Jr., of Gladyfork
Jerry Groves, 57, Cleveland, W.Va
Martin Toler, 50, of Flatwoods
Thomas P. Anderson, 39
Jesse Jones, 44, of Pickens

Monday, January 02, 2006

A Whole New Attitude?

A new year has arriven (that really should be a real word). Obviously, it's time to jump the current train of thought & hop a new one. Who wants to be engineer?

Sunday, January 01, 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

YIKES! I left town for 3 days & the blogs ... um ... YIKES! What'd I miss??
Everybody have a great new year's eve?